Sunlight for Unaccountable Non-profits (SUN) Act This bill expands the disclosure requirements for certain tax-exempt organizations. This bill requires the annual tax return information for tax-exempt organizations and deferred compensation plans to be made available to the public at no charge and in an open structured data format that is processable by computers, with the information easy to find, access, reuse, and download in bulk. The bill also requires the disclosure of the names and addresses of contributors of $5,000 or more to tax-exempt organizations that participate or intervene in political campaigns on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.
The bill's implications are far-reaching, particularly in increasing the transparency of organizations that influence public policy through political contributions. By requiring that information on contributors who donate $5,000 or more be disclosed, the SUN Act intends to shed light on the sources of funding behind advocacy and political campaigns. This aspect is expected to promote accountability among non-profits and alleviate public skepticism regarding undisclosed financial influences in politics.
SB17, also known as the Sunlight for Unaccountable Non-profits (SUN) Act, proposes significant amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 concerning tax-exempt organizations. The bill mandates that return information from these organizations be made publicly available in a searchable and structured format, allowing easier access and transparency for the public. This represents a shift toward open data initiatives, aimed at enhancing the accountability of tax-exempt entities, especially those engaged in political activities.
Despite its potential benefits, the bill could provoke significant contention among various stakeholders. Supporters argue that it creates necessary safeguards against the opaque workings of powerful non-profits, while critics may assert that such disclosure could intimidate contributors and suppress political speech. Additionally, organizations concerned with privacy may oppose the requirement to disclose contributor identities, raising debates around donor anonymity and the implications of such a shift on charitable giving.